SkillsUSA competition an enjoyable experience

February 01, 2012|By JUDY FAIDLEY | SCTC

SkillsUSA is an organization for students enrolled in programs of trades, industry, technology and health occupations. One of the events sponsored by SkillsUSA is District Competition. Here students from all the schools in the District get together to compete against each other in a particular contest. These contests range from individual shop area events like Masonry, Carpentry, etc. to Leadership events such as Quiz Bowl, Health Knowledge Bowl, Job Interview and many more.

Students from the Somerset County Technology Center recently participated in the District 9 Competition hosted this year by Green County Technology Center with help from Central Westmoreland CTC, Mon Valley CTC and Connellsville Area. The competition rotates through all the school in the District and has been hosted several years ago by the SCTC.

I enjoyed going to Mon Valley this year with other fellow SkillsUSA competitors. I have competed for two years and it has been different every year. This year when we walked into the school and signed our names for our competitions I was contestant number one. I competed in Health Occupations Portfolio.

After we registered, we waited at tables for our competition to begin. Contests had anywhere from two to 10 competitors. I took second place in my contest. Last year, I was in third place.

The Somerset County Technology Center had 38 competitors this year. Six of those students captured first place, 11 took second place while four third place winners were announced.

I would recommend that any student eligible to compete in the SkillsUSA contests take advantage of the opportunity. It is a very competitive group to be a part of. I highly suggest going to the technology center and be a part of this organization.